ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA
The Mason Symphony Orchestra began in 2021 as a group of volunteer musicians, sharing a passion for orchestral music in Mason, led by former Music Director, Dr. Lucy Ginther. The orchestra established itself as a non-profit in September 2022 and is now comprised of highly trained professional musicians. The MSO has developed innovative concert seasons, a scholarship competition, and music education and engagement opportunities for all ages, becoming a cornerstone in the cultural fabric of the Mason community.
Michael Chertock was appointed Music Director of the Mason Symphony Orchestra in August 2026, bringing with him a distinguished career as a conductor, pianist, educator, composer, and arranger.
His conducting career began in 2001 when he stepped in for Maestro Carmon De Leone to lead performances of Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Since then, he has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Blue Ash–Montgomery Symphony Orchestra and has conducted the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony in more than 75 performances of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Internationally, he conducted the State Symphony Orchestra of Moscow and the Moscow Conservatory Orchestra in 2015, 2016, and in 2017 acclaimed programs celebrating the music of George Gershwin.
Michael Chertock
Music Director
BOARD
Melissa Toedtman
Melissa Toedtman graduated from CCM and co-founded the Toedtman School of Music with John Toedtman in 1974. She currently teaches piano at the Toedtman School of Music and plays for Sunday services at the Convent of the Transfiguration. Her passion is musical collaboration and promoting the joy of music.
President
Sonia Milrod
Treasurer
A professional educator, Sonia retired after 49 years in education. For the last 11 years of her career, she facilitated the development of and administered an internationally accredited Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Reading teacher training program both face-to-face and online. Previously she was an assistant superintendent, curriculum director, language arts supervisor, educational, technology consultant, and classroom teacher in Ohio, Kentucky, and California. She also served as a national school reform teacher training and reading consultant. Sonia has three children and three grandchildren. She volunteers as a member of the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center’s Coppel Speakers Bureau and is very active in her local Mason, OH community.
Violins of Hope
Carolyn Quinn
Secretary
Student Scholarship
Competition
Carolyn Quinn is a violist. Her motivation for her affiliation with the Mason Symphony Orchestra is that she believes in bringing quality music to people in their neighborhood. Ms. Quinn also serves as Chair of the MSO Student Concerto Competition.
Martha Dennemann
Public Relations
Martha Dennemann grew up in Rochester, NY, where she started playing clarinet and piano. She earned a BA in French and an MA from CCM. Martha has held positions with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. She has had wonderful experiences living abroad in France, Saudi Arabia and India. After 24 years as a school secretary in Sycamore Schools, Martha retired in 2022. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, and 1 dog. Martha enjoys meeting people, traveling, and enjoying great music!
Advertising
Christopher Braun
Orchestra Relations
Trumpeter Chris Braun is the adjunct trumpet instructor at Central State University and at Sinclair College and music professor for Liberty University Online. He is also an adjunct instructor and the Charger Music Society director at Edison State Community College and trumpet teacher at Spring Valley Academy, Beavercreek City Schools, and That Music Place. Chris plays trumpet with the Mason Symphony Orchestra, Kettering Praise Orchestra, Mad River Brass, Eddie Brookshire Big Band, Ryan Roth and The Comeback Special Elvis Tribute Band, leads the Innovation Jazz Combo and called upon for freelance work. Chris earned his MM from Wright State University and his BM in Jazz Studies from The Ohio State University. Chris has served for over a decade as music director for churches in Florida and Ohio. He is a co-founder of SOMA and is a regular contributor to the International Trumpet Guild Journal (ITG) and a performing member of the Dayton Music Club.
Licensing
Don Greiman
Don Greiman earned a BS in Music Education from Bemidji State University and briefly taught in public schools before beginning a 30-year USAF career starting with an enlistment as a bass trombonist in the Strategic Air Command Band. After commissioning in 1979, his military experince included commanding a technical training organization and communications and information assignments in the Pacific and European theaters, culminating in service as Vice Commander of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. In the defense business sector, he held profit-and-loss responsibility for hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts providing highly specialized technical support to the DoD. Drawing on his MS in Public Administration from Troy State University, he served on the nonprofit boards of The National Military Intelligence Association and The Springboro Wind Symphony. He has performed with the Ohio Valley British Brass Band, Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra, Springboro Wind Symphony, Mason Symphony Orchestra, and Adena Brass quintet.
Special Projects
Graduating with honors in 1996 from the University of Dayton (Marketing), Todd is now president and part-owner of Accu-Router, a CNC machine tool builder. He is a member of the choir at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, enjoys golf and pickleball, and has over 200 lifetime blood and platelet donations. Todd is also treasurer for Catholic Calvary Cemetery Association, a trustee for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (Dayton chapter), and a Dayton basketball season ticket-holder since 1992
Todd Herzog
Anil Sharma is an insurance technology professional with more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. He holds an MBA and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. A Mason resident for nearly 12 years, Anil is actively involved in the local community, including through area churches and temples. He enjoys bringing people together, giving back to the community, and supporting organizations that create meaningful connections. Anil is excited to serve on the Mason Symphony Orchestra Board and support its mission of enriching the community through music.
Anil Sharma
A senior pilot for a wholly owned division of American Airlines, Capt. Tim LeVan brings multiple assets to the MSO board, as he has served on other orchestra boards for nearly a decade, and has chaired committees for a host of other organizations. A classically educated pianist, Capt. LeVan co-founded the duo-piano team “LeVan & LeVan” with his wife, Ann Rayburn LeVan; additionally he serves as resident organist for Heritage Presbyterian Church in Mason, OH. Tim is thrilled to serve and assist the MSO blossom in our community, watching it grow in the hearts and minds of our listeners.
Tim LeVan